Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-08-11

that the water which is taken In by the
! sponge. through the small pores, il
elected at the larger ones. and that in
these streams which it elects are
minute particles plainly discernible.
The sponge is supposed to receive its
nourishment through the organic
particles in the water.
The sponge, in life, supports deli
cate fiesh-like jelly which the slightest
touch or pressure destroys. by tearing
the delicate membranes and allowing
the fluids within to escape; it is of fishy
odor, and of different formation in the
various kinds. If sponges are sensi-
| tive to injury, they have failed to indi.
cate it by any sign. for though sub.
mitted to tearing, boring, pinching
| with hot pinchers, and to the action OF
chemicals, it has never quivered or
shrunk, as though capable of suffer
ing.
The species is gated by bud
ding growth of young sponges, many
of which remain to increase the origi-
nal mass, while large proportion
drop from the parent sponges and seek
their own fortunes in the seas. Though
full-grown sponges are fastened to the
rocks, and never oh ange their resting
places, the young sponge buds. or lit
tie sponges, move freely through the
water until they find rock in quiet
waters, which seems to suit them, and
to which they attach themselves to re-
main during life. In their motion
through the water they are assisted
by small ella or hairs, which move
rapidly like oars, and seem to propel
them on their way; when the animal
becomes stationary, these celia, being
no longer required, drop off.
In living state many sponges ex-
hibit lively colors from iridescence or
different coloring matters, and the
forms of the frame work vary with the
different kinds, some being cup-shaped,
others nearly globular, others conical,
cylindrical, ETC.; some are branched
and some are simple. The internal
structure of sponges differs according
to locality, and in different species;
there is little individuality. however,
in these strange developments of life.
Two individuals of one class quickly
unite to form one if placed in contact
A sponge cut apart with knife will
unite again, even if cut in several
pieces and placed in different relations
Parts of different species, however.
will not coalesce though placed in con-
tinued contact
The best living sponge is found,
usually, at depth of eight to ten
fathoms of water, but is known to exist
at great depths; one variety has been
found, in the Gulf of Maori, at the
depth of hundred and eighty-fve
fathoms. An inferior sponge is found
on the coasts of Florida and the West
Indies; two species of better quality
are brought from the Levant The
Turks and the inhabitants of the Ba-
hama Islands do large trade in
sponge, and crews of between four and
five thousand fishermen are attached
to about six hundred boats, which are
chiefly engaged in the sponge fishery
along the coasts of Syria, Gambia,
and Barbary. The divers take down
with them stone of triangular shape,
pierced and fastened to a rope at one
angle; the rope is attached to the boat
above, and the diver, by means of this
stone and rope, manages to reach the
sponges, which he tears from the rocks
and places under his arms; when
ready he signals to the men in the
boat by pulling on the rope, and they
pull him up. This is the most effectual
mode of obtaining sponge, although
the Greeks of the Morea obtain it by
means of pronged instrument,
which, however, tears the sponges
and reduces their value. A
coarser kind of sponge is found about
the Bahama and West Indian islands,
of which about two hundred and fifteen
thousand pounds are sent annually to
Great Britain. There is a species OF
sponge familiar to British shores which
is almost tree-like in form, with num-
erous branches. There is also a fresh
water sponge which grows to the
height of foot and is divided into
many branches, but its texture is so
delicate that the slightest handling
tears it; it is also of foul odor re-
sembling that of stagnant bitches. N
Y. Observer.